Retaliation

Curious to hear what more experienced RNs have done or would have done in two seperate situations.

Spoke with shift supervisor and Unit Director when a fellow RN brought a live round of firearm ammunition on the psych unit into a patient are to show another RN. Staff fearful of this RN now due to poor judgment and noted irrational engagements and tantrums now more than ever. Raised issue with supervisor as on coming charge, and recieved reply two days later that nurse had "been talked to" by director of the unit and managment. Staff remains suspicious, paranoid and less effective, as no directive or statement has come forth to ease fear. Writer of email to notify unit manager (following chain of command) gets reply back that states, "stop talking about this incident it has been handled and needs no further discussion, employee does not possess gun." Staff continues talking about though writer does not.

Next case involves a highly irrational member of law enforcement has a family member as an inpatient (on a hold DTS, DTO) and this officer has intimidated staff with such furiousity and persistence, that nurses are afraid that he may return to the unit and hurt his family member or the staff. He is not in uniform, but does insist on using a strong forceful approach and refuses to stop calling the unit demanding information. When he visits he is rude condecending and initimidating towards staff with angry stares and loud abrupt pressured speech. One one occassion, calls were demanding and relentless, that supervisor was called and she bore brunt of further attacks. Unit director asked to intervene and notify the local authorities whom the officer worked for, as the internal investigation personel had been out to investigate as the officer's hand gun was involved in the admission incident and rationale for patient. Director is asked in email to help ease fears and concerns by maybe talking to internal folks that came out, as officer's behavior is unpredicatable and he is a local cop seen weeks later in coffe shop by one of the nurses who walked out to avoid confrontation. Director did not respond to emails and even on discharge of patient, officer's behavior remained unchanged. Nurse's are still fearful of running into this guy on the street.

Director when asked, stated, "oh that's what that was about. I didn't get a chance to look at it." (one week later!!!!)

Now, nurse writing email is terminated two months later for profane language in response to profane language by coworker with long history of profane language, on a unit where manager and staff uses profane language regularly.

What do you think? Retaliation for pointing out safety concerns in writing and inquiring about follow-up?

Looking forward to hearing replies. Thanks, FlyRNII